Bacchus Marsh bus routes merge

TWO Bacchus Marsh bus routes will be merged under a government plan to extend a bus route to new estates.

The State Government recently announced plans to combine local bus routes 433 and 435 into a single route. The new route, 433 Maddingley – Darley, will extend services to the new Stonehill Estate via Bacchus Marsh Station.

Residents of Stonehill Estate will now have access to 25 services during weekdays, taking them into the town centre. Starting Sunday 7 July, buses will follow the existing Route 435 path, with the addition of a more direct route along Davies and Grey Street.

According to the State Government, the changes will reduce duplication in the Bacchus Marsh town centre.

Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle said the changes provide better access for the community.

“We’re delivering better and more frequent bus services in our fastest growing suburbs, giving new communities like Stonehill Estate better access to shops, jobs, aged care, and medical facilities,” she said.

“These service improvements are another example of how Victoria’s Bus Plan is delivering a new bus network that makes travelling by bus easier and more convenient.”

The new route will feature additional return weekday trips between Darley and Maddingley and an extra weekday trip from Darley to Bacchus Marsh Station.

Two new short trips between Bacchus Marsh Station and Maddingley are planned, as well as 12 additional short trips on weekends.

Passengers should check their timetables and plan ahead.

In 2022, the State Government promised to extend bus services to the growing Madingley area.

Then-Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll said at the time that bus services were an important community investment.

“We are focused on delivering a modern, accessible, environmentally sustainable bus network that increases the number of people choosing to take the bus,” he said.